Winter-Inspired Smoothie Recipe Roundup

Who says smoothies are just a summertime treat? A nutrient dense smoothie is great all year round, and might just be the pick-me-up you need to boost those long, winter days. The trick to preparing the perfect smoothie any time of year is choosing seasonal and local produce, whenever possible. This will vary depending on where you live, and farmers markets are a great way to learn what is in season in your area.

For some nutritious and delicious ideas, check out our top 5 favorite winter smoothie inspired recipes:

Parsley Pear Green Smoothie

Image courtesy of Eating Vibrantly

Pears are a fall/winter fruit, and an excellent way to naturally sweeten your smoothie. According to the world’s healthiest foods, pears are full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants like vitamin E and omega 3 fatty acids, and are one of the fruits richest in health-promoting flavonols. This tasty and unique smoothie also offers the vast nutrient benefits of plums, apples, bananas, and parsley, which contains high levels of vitamins K and C. As if that weren’t enough, it throws in some heart-healthy fat from avocado, which will also help to keep you satisfied and reduce cravings throughout the day.

Heart Healthy Red Smoothie

Image courtesy of The Fitchen

Winter-inspired and incredibly healthy, this smoothie is sure to keep you energized and motivated as winter sets in. Cabbage supports our detoxification pathways (never a bad idea amidst the holiday season), and berries are a low-sugar, micronutrient dense fruit that adds sweetness and impressive antioxidant support to your smoothie. To increase the satiety index (feeling of fullness), try adding a high-quality protein powder to this recipe, experimenting with which flavor best suits your taste buds.

Avocado Banana Goodness

Image courtesy of Bravo for Paleo

This filling and creamy smoothie makes for a great breakfast option, as it will keep you satiated due to the healthy fats from avocados. Bananas are not only a wonderful source of potassium, but they are also known to support cardiovascular and digestive health. This is another smoothie that could really benefit from adding a protein powder, especially if you use it as a meal replacement. Or, try adding a serving of chia seeds for extra, anti-inflammatory benefits and another serving of healthy fats.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Image courtesy of Minimalist Baker

This fall/winter-inspired smoothie is basically heaven-in-a-cup. The mouth-watering combination of banana, pumpkin, coconut milk and vanilla protein powder might just take away your urge to have actual pumpkin pie for breakfast, and instead provide your body with the nutrients it needs to sail through the holidays without too much stress or weight gain. A handful of spinach and a greens powder offer even more nutrition (and you won’t even taste them), making this smoothie a must during fall and winter months.

Ultimate Green Smoothie

Image courtesy of Oh She Glows

We often reach for comfort foods in the winter, and those comfort foods are usually not green veggies. Include this smoothie to make sure you are getting the unparalleled nutrition that green, leafy vegetables provide. Kale is packed full of magnesium (essential for stress management and relaxation), and cinnamon will support balanced blood sugar, helping you to control those sugar and carb cravings. Add fresh almond or peanut butter, or try our pure, powdered peanut butter to make this recipe even simpler.

There you have it! 5 smoothies to kick off the winter season. By including healthy, winter-inspired smoothies in your routine this year, you can make sure your body is getting its nutrient needs met, all year round.